Gallivant - Rother

We dined in the restaurant at The Gallivant last evening. Service was inexplicably atrocious. Perhaps the Restaurant Manager would like to get in touch to explain why. Service: 1 Location: 3

I took a solo trip here on Saturday was greeted with suspicion by front of house staff who asked if I was on my own! Took a seat and was ignored by the waiters... I had to get up and leave and was so disappointed by the attitude of the staff.

Had high hopes as we entered the well designed interior, but the service was slow with nonchalant staff (at least 5) milling around a pretty empty restaurant. Had to waive a waitress over. Ordered med rare Bavette steak and tomato and ricotta salad. Took 25 minutes to deliver 2 slices of sour dough bread after a gentle reminder. My son 's steak was like a piece of raw, leather..so tough..very poor quality meat. The ricotta cheese was like mayonnaise with tomatoes were topped with dried, processed onions..the type you sprinkle on at mediocre salad bars. Really grim dish. Left 90% of it. Waitress didn 't check for drinks top up or ask if food was ok. Simply said, 'Have you had enough? We certainty had and not in a good way! Asked for bill, which took ages for card machine. Had to ask the sleepy staff, again,who were either folding napkins, or hiding out the back. Meal was £57 for a one course of poor quality steak and weird tomato salad dish. We are real foodies and eat out a lot and love to praise the restaurants we visit usually..But won 't be returning here in any hurry!

Terrible service, bad food, over priced. We hesitated over booking The Gallivant as for a 4 star hotel, reviews seemed pretty low. In the end, we risked it it did look lovely after all. Firstly, the hotel is not on the beach but a main road, not so much of a tranquil haven. Really though, the problem was the service. Service was laughably terrible, the worst we have ever experienced despite being seasoned travellers. Some examples: on being seated for breakfast, it then took 40 minutes before someone took our coffee order. Tables on either side were having the same experience the couple to our left were told they couldn't even order breakfast as the kitchen was so backed up. The party of 4 to our right each received their coffee order at different times, half an hour apart; their food order was wrong and they had to wait for cutlery after their food had arrived. On checking out, we were double charged for some drinks that the night before, we had been informed, weren't possible to charge to the room as it was against policy. Luckily we kept the receipt but there was no grace dealing with the situation. Food is disappointing a menu trying to be fancy with poorly cooked food: chewy lobster, over cooked steak, and even when not very busy, a battle to receive a glass of wine to go with the meal. The overall atmosphere was staff who didn't want to be there and guests who were having a bad experience. Grossly over priced to top it off. Camber sands is beautiful but do yourself a favour and stay in an airbnb!

The perfect place for a long lunch with fresh, local ingredients, beautifully prepared. The space has a superb, thoughtfully-curated style and sense of belonging. Hamish and team run and incredibly smooth service. A true joy to visit, and perfect walkability for the dogs to run along Camber Sands after. Thanks Gallivant, see you again soon! Service: 5